Paper collating machine



Nov. 13, 1945. c, LEIFER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Filed May a, 1944 N w. QN Nu Nov. 13, 1945.

c. 1.. LEIFER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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% ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. c, LElFER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Charles LLezjer Nov. 13, 1945. c. L. LEIFER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 -llllllllll I N VEN TOR.

5 A7 TORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. c, LE|FER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 &

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ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. c. LEIFER PAPER COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR Ckar/x L .Lee

ATTOP/VEY Nov. 13, 1945. c. L. LEIFER 2,389,066

PAPER COLLATING' MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. Charles L- Leg y ATTaR/vr Patented Nov. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,389,066 PAPER. COLLATING Macnmn Charles L. Leifer, Forest Hills, N. Y. Application May 8, 1944, Serial No. 534,583 23 Claims. (01. 270-58) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a paper collating machine.

The invention proposes the construction of a collating machine which is capable of placing a large number of sheets into sets, for example triplicates. quadruplicates, and as many as 24 sheets to a set at one time.

At the present time collating is generally done by hand in print shops and advertising concerns, because of the lack of a machine which could be used for this purpose. This invention contemplates so constructing the machine that it is capable of turning out a minimum of two or hree thousand sheets or more per hour, which is humanly impossible to do manually.

The invention proposes to characterize the new and improved paper collating machine by the fact that it is provided with a carriage arranged to reciprocate back and forth on a frame. It is proposed to provide the carriage with a post upon which a plurality of air sucker support members are slidably mounted. It is proposed to associate means with said support members so that when they are in the forward position the suckers are picking the sheets off of the forward stroke, and when the carriage is going towards the backward roke. he s cker arms. after the suckers have picked their sheets, will be gradually drawn together at the end of the backward stroke. Paper pply feed plates are located at the separated ositions for sucker means on said support members to engage and lift off one sheet of paper from each supply feed plate. A delivery table for the means of receiving and stacking the sheets after they have been collating is located between the carriage and the supply feed plates rack. so that hen the carriage is in the backward stroke end the edge of the sheet will also be in the backward end of the delivery table.

In accordance with this invention any number of feed plates and suckers may be used for collating any number of sets of sheets.

Still further. in accordance with this invention, there may be any arrangement of the relative positions Of the .ieed plates, the paper delivery table for receiving and stacking paper, and the sucker operating means,

Several modified forms of the invention will be disclosed in this specification to make the scope of the invention clear.

Another object of the invention is the construction of the machine as mentioned which is ractical and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a paper collating machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the machine taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the reci rocal carriage of the collating machine.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the suckers of the collating machine.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed plan view of the paper feed rack.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of certain parts shown in Figs. '7 and 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the collating machine illustrated with the carriage in a forward position to those shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 15 is another sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a further modified form.

Fig. 16 is another sectional view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating still another modified form.

Fig. 1'7 is a side elevational view of a paper collating machine constructed in accordance with a. modified form of this invention.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of Fig. 17.

The collating machine, according to that form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-13 inclusive, includes a frame II! for slidably supporting a carriage II. The frame I0 is formed by a pair of spaced vertical walls l2 and 13 mounted on a base l4 and several horizontal rods l5 mounted between the walls and I3, and a horizontal bar I6 located beneath the rods l5 and also mounted between the walls l2 and I3. The carriage l I is supported by several rollers l8 engaging grooves I9 formed in the top face 01' the bar l6. Several side brackets are mounted on the sides of the carriage H and have their bottom end portions engaged about and partially beneath the bar l6. These brackets 20 are provided with bearings 2| engaging the rods l5 for facilitating sliding of the carriage II. The carriage is free to be reciprocated back and forth on the frame Ill.

The carriage H is associated with reciprocating means which includes a driven shaft 22.v This shaft is rotatively supported on the base M. It is provided with a pulley 23 engaged by a belt 24 which engages the drive pulley 25 of an electric motor 26. The shaft 22 is rotatively supported in standards 21. The shaft 22 is also provided with a cam 28. This cam is in the nature of an eccentrically mounted disc which is also provided with an annular groove 29. This groove is engaged by a pin projecting from the bottom end of a lever 3|. The lever 3| is pivotally mounted on a bracket 32 which is mounted on the base l4. The top end of the lever 3| pivotally connects with a link 33 which in turn is pivotally connected with the carriage H. When the shaft 22 turns 180 the cam 28 will pivot the lever 3| towards the right, as illustrated in ,Fig. 13, in which position the carriage II will have been moved to its extreme right hand position. Upon another 180 turn of the shaft 22 the cam 28 will indirectly move the carriage back to its original position. as illustrated in Fig. 2.

A post 34 is mounted upon the carriage II. A plurality of horizontal air sucker support members 35 are slidably mounted on the post 34. Each member 35 is provided with a transverse bar 36 at its extreme right hand end. A plurality of suckers 31 are adjustably and slidably mounted upon each bar 36. These suckers 31 are connected by flexible tubes 38 with a suction systern. This suction system includes passages formed through the support members 35, which in turn are connected with flexible tubes 39 connecting with the suction line 40 of a motor driven suction pump 4|. The suckers 31 may be shifted to various positions according to the Width of sets of sheets to be handled by the collating machine.

The support arms 35 are associated with means for raising and separating them when the carriage H is at one end of its stroke and for moving the support members 35 down and together when the carriage II is at the other end of its stroke. This means includes a plurality of springs 42 coaxially mounted on the post 34 between the support members 35 and normally acting to separate the members 35 when given an opportunity. An arm 43 is slidably mounted upon the post 34 and engages against the top one of the support members 35. A crank 44 is pivotally connected with the arm 43 and eccentrically connects with a wheel 45. This wheel 45 is rotatively supported upon a bracket 46 mounted on and extending downwards from the carriage The wheel 45 is provided with teeth 41 on its periphery which mesh with a stationary rack 48 mounted between the walls l2 and I3 of the frame Ill.

The wheel 45 is of such size that it will turn through 180 while the carriage moves from one end of its stroke to the other end. In Fig. 1

- the wheel 45 is shown in its starting position in which the support members 35 are in their moved together and down position. In Fig. 13 the wheel 45 is shown in its second position in which it has turned 180 so that the crank 45 is in its up position and the support members 35 are up and separated. The wheel 45 now partially projects, as illustrated in Fig. 13.

Paper supply feed plates 50 are located at the up and separated positions or the support members 35. More specifically, each feed plate 50 includes a bottom board 5| upon which a stack of paper 52 may be rested. These boards 5| are provided with lugs 53 at their sides slidably engaging the side arms of a Y-shaped yoke 54. The bottom arm 55 of the Y-shaped yoke 54 is formed with a threaded section 56 which passes through a socket 51. This socket 51 is provided with a pair of plungers 58, see Fig. 11. Springs 59 urge the plungers 58 inwards to engage between the threads 56. The plunger-s 58 are provided with external heads by which they may be gripped and pulled outwards to release the threaded section Each feed plate 50 also includes a front stationary frame partition 60. These stationary frame partitions 60 are mounted across the sides of a structural frame 6| which is mounted on the base l4. Each front frame partition 60 has several top cutouts 62 to facilitate passage of the suckers 31. Each front frame partition 60 is also provided with an air tube 63 which connects up with an air line 64 connecting with the compressed air side of the pump 4|. The purpose of the air tube 63 is to play a stream of air against the top sheets in the feed plate to separate the top sheets so that the suckers 31 may lift off one sheet at a time from each of the feed plates.

Each bottom feed plate 5| is provided with a slidably mounted back stop 65. This stop 65 slides in a slot 66 formed in the bottom frame partition 5|. It is held in fixed positions by a clamp screw 61. Each bottom board 5| is also provided with transverse slots 68 into which the side arms of frames 69 extend. These frames 69 are adjustably mounted along the bottom portions of the side arms of the Y-shaped yoke 54. The purpose of the side frames 69 is to act as guides for the sides of the sheets of paper 52, see Fig. 7.

Each feed plate 50 is provided with a gauge 10. These gauges are adjustably mounted on vertical rods 1| which are supported on arms 12. in turn supported on the cross brace 13 mounted between the sides of the structural frame 6|. Each rod 1| is resiliently urged into a normal position by a coaxial spring 14. Each spring 14 acts between one of the arms 12 and a collar 15 mounted on each rod 1|. Each spring 14 urges a collar 15 against the other one of the arms 12. The gauges 10 act to retain the sheets in a stacked position on the feed plates 50 and prevents the sheets from being blown away by the air from the air tubes 63. The gauges 10 exert a pressure suflicient to achieve this purpose without interfering with the picking up of the sheets by the air sucker means.

The feed plates 50 are synchronized with the operation of the collating machine. More specifically, the bottom arm of the Y-shaped yoke 54 is provided with a high gear 16. This gear is engaged by a ratchet 11 which is connected with a slidably supported arm 18 resiliently urged against a cam 19 mounted on the shaft 22. A spring 8!! is connected with the arm 13 and urges the arm towards the cam 19. Each time the shaft 22 makes one complete revolution, the arm 18 will be caused to reciprocate forwards and rearwards and will turn the gear 16 one or more teeth, depending on design. This indirectly rotates the bottom arm 55 01 the Y-shaped yoke 54. The bottom arm 55 is free to rotate because it tumably engages a socket 8| at the junction of the side arms of the Y-shaped yoke 54. The side arms of the Y-shaped yoke 54 slidably pass through guide rings 82 mounted upon the top of the structural frame A delivery table for receiving and stacking paper 85 is located at the down and moved together positions of the support members 35. The details of this table 85 will not be given in this specification because tables of this general type are well known and moreover, a copending application Serial No. 536,469, filed May 20, 1944, gives the details of the specific table shown on the drawings. It is sufiicient to say that this delivery table is provided with the usual four reciprocating members which separate as the sheets are dropped on the table, and which engage against the edges of the sets of sheets to straighten them and stack them in a straight pile. An air discharge blowing system 86 is located above the paper receiving and stacking table 85 to facilitate engagement of the sets upon the table.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

The sheets to be collated are placed on feed plates 50. The motor driven suction pump 4| is turned on. The motor 26 is set into operation which indirectly drives the shaft 22. For each rotation of the shaft 22 the cam 28 will indirectly reciprocate the carriage The carriage II is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 13, and back again. In the position shown in Fig. 2 the air sucker support members 35 are down and close together. When the carriage moves towards the right the toothed wheel 45 will turn, movingthe crank 44 upwards and permitting the springs 42 to separate the support members 35.

When the carriage reaches the extreme right hand position, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the support members 35 are fully raised and separated and the suckers 31 engage against the top sheets 52. The top sheets are loose and free because of the air discharged from the tubes 53. As the carriage moves back towards the left the top sheets 52 will be removed from the bins 53 by the suckers 31 and when they reach positions over the paper receiving and stacking table 85 air blown by the air system 35 will blow the sheets down upon the table. It is pointed out that as the carriage moves back to its left position the air sucker support members 35 will move down and together as illustrated in Fig. 2 so that the sheets 01? paper held by the suckers will not have to drop a large distance to reach the paper receiving and stacking table.

Rotations from the shaft 22 also indirectly drive the gear 18 which turns the bottom arm 55 of the Y-shaped yoke 54 so that the screw section 55 gradually lifts the Y-shaped yoke. In this way the top ones of the sheets 52 will always be at the correct elevation for the suckers 31.

In Fig. 14 a slight modification of the invention is shown-which relates particularly tothe means for raising and separating said support members 35 when the carriage ii is at one end of its stroke, and moving the support members 35 down and together when the carriage II is at the other end of its stroke. This means includes a bracket 45' from the carriage rotatively supporting the toothed wheel 45' which is rovided with a hub 30 upon which a group of eccentrics 9| of different throws are fixedly mounted. These eccentrics 3| are connected with a group or arms 32 which connect up with the support members 35.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and like reference numerals identify like parts in each oi! the several views.

In this form of the invention the toothed wheel 45' turns through 180 as the carriage moves from its extreme left position to its extreme right position. In one position of the toothed wheel 45' the eccentrics 9| are directed vertically upwards and indirectly hold the support members 35 in their raised and separated positions. In the other position of the wheel 45' the group of eccentrics 3| are directed downwards in which position the support members 35 will be moved together and lowered. With this arrangement the need of springs for lifting the support members 35 has been eliminated.

In Fig. 15 still another form of the invention is shown which is very similar to the first form of the invention substantially disclosed in Fig. 4. In this form, the carriage H is provided with a bracket 46 which supports the toothed roller 45. A crank 44' from the toothed roller 45 connects up with the post 34' which is vertically slidably mounted through the carriage The crank 44' is connected with the post 33 by a pivot construction 95. It should be understood that the carriage I should have a sumcient opening through w'." ich the post 34 passes so that the eccentric 44' is free to move to vertically reciprocate the post 34'. The support members 35 are urged upwards into separated positions by springs 42. The post 34' has a top head 96 which engages against the topmost support member 35 for holding the supp rt members into their separated positions.

"n Fig. 16 still another form of the invention is disclosed which is very similar to the form shown in Fig. 14, distinguishing merely in the fact that a movable crank shaft 9| is connected with the hub 90 of the wheel 45' for operating the rods 92 for separating or moving together the supportmembers 35.

In other respects form in Fig. 14.

In Figs. 17 and 18 another modified form of the invention is shown which is very similar to the first form distinguishing merely in the relative locations of the paper feed plates 50' and the paper receiving and stacking delivery table 35'. In this form of the invention the feed plates 50' are located to the left side of the delivery table However, the air sucker support members 35 are arranged to be in separated positions when the carriage is at the left hand end of its stroke, and to assume down and together positions, indicated by the dot and dash lines 35', when the carriage H is at the right hand end of its stroke.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and like refer ence numerals identify like parts in each of the several views.

The general operation of this form of the invention is also identical to the first form. The suckers take the top sheets from the bins 53' and move t em over the paper receiving and stacking table 85 simultaneously lowering the sheets, and finaly dropping the sheets which are then blown down by the compressed air system 85.

The air sucker support members 35' are offset for the purpose of permitting the sheets 52 to drop through and downwards onto the stacking table.

This is to be understood that the corresponding lever 3|, link 33 and the cam 23 may be located this form is identical to the at any desired position on the machine either as shown or in alignment with the bar II, in which event the lever 3| and link 33 will'be made in one integral piece for connecting the cam.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the moved together positions of said support members, said frame including end walls, several rods mounted between said walls, and a grooved bar mounted between the walls.

2. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slideably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking deliver table located at the moved together positions of said support members, said frame including end walls, several rods mounted between said walls, and a grooved 'bar mounted between the walls, said carriage having rollers engaging the grooves of said bar,

3. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the moved together positions of said support members, said frame including end walls, several rods mounted between said walls, and a grooved bar mounted between the walls, said carriage having rollers engaging the grooves of said bar, and being provided with bearings engaging said rods.

4. A paper collating machine; comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking table located at the moved together positions of said support members, said means for reciprocating said carriage including a rotative shaft, a cam mounted on said shaft, a lever adapted to be oscillated by said cam, and a linkage system connecting said lever with said carriage.

5. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said air sucker support members being provided with transverse end bars, and said air sucker means including suckers adjustably mounted on said transverse bars.

6. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage. air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the moved together positions of said support members, said means for separating said support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted in the bracket from said carriage, a rack mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel.

7. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth means for reciprocating said carriage, a. post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table-located at the moved together positions of said support members, said means for separating said support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted in the bracket from said carriage, a rack mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel, springs mounted upon said post between said support members for separating them.

8. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support member together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members. said means for separating said support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted in the bracket from said carriage, a rack mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel, said means including a series of cams and rods connecting said cams with said support members.

9. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said means for separating said support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel, said means including a movable crankshaft with connecting rods connecting with said support members.

10. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage-is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said means for separating aid support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted in the bracket from said carriage, a rack mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel, and

a crank connected with said toothed wheel and with said post, said post being vertically slidably mounted on said carriage.

11. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on 'said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, Paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the se arated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said paper supply feed plates including a substantially shaped yoke, the bottom arm of said yoke being rotatively connected with the top arm of the yoke, a screw section on the bottom arm of said yoke, resilient pins engaging said threaded portion and stationarily mounted to cause the yoke to move upwards as the bottom section is turned.

12. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post,

means for separating said support members when I said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said paper supply feed plates including a Y-shaped yoke, the bottom arm of said yoke being rotatively connected with the top arms of the yoke, a screw section on the bottom arm of said yoke, resilient pins engaging said threaded portion and stationarily mounted to cause the yoke to move upwards as the bottom section is turned, and means for turning said threaded sections.

13. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said means for separating said support members including a toothed wheel rotatively mounted in the bracket from said carriage, a rack mounted on said frame and engaged by said toothed wheel, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel, and a crank connected with said toothed wheel and with said post, said post being vertically slidably mounted on said carriage, each supply feed plate having an inclined bottom wall ad- Justably mounted on the side arms of said yoke, and a stationary front wall.

14. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of carriage moved together positions of said support members, ad- Justable slot air blowing tubes connected with the front frame partitions of said feed plates.

-15. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame. a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage, moved together positions of said support members, gauges for said feed plates, said feed plates being inclined.

16. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, air blowing tubes connected with the front walls of said feed plates, said bottom walls having slots engaged inwards from the sides thereof, and frames adjustably mounted on said yoke and engaging said slots for engaging the sides of papers mounted in said feed plates.

1'7. A paper collating machine, comprising a frame, a, carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, means for separating said support members when said carriage is at one end of its stroke and moving said support members together when said carriage is at the other end of its stroke, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members, paper supply feed plates located at the separated positions of said support members, and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located at the forward end of the carriage moved together positions of said support members, said asaaoee carriage being mounted to one side of said paper receiving and stacking delivery table, and said paper supply feed plates being mounted to the other side.

18. A paper collating machine having a plurality of spaced superimposed paper supply feed plates for stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feed plates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted'on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets .to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame, means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feed plates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheets picked up by the air sucker means approach a position directly over said delivery table.

19. A paper collating machine having a plurality of spaced superimposed paper supply feed plates for stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feed plates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidabiy mounted on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame, means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feedplates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheets picked up by the air sucker means approach a position directly over said delivery table, said reciprocating means, comprising a driven shaft, a cam mounted on said shaft, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends and having one end connected with said cam to be oscillated thereby. and a linkage system connecting the free end of said lever with said carriage.

20. A paper collating machine having a plurality of spaced superimposed paper supply feed plates for stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feed plates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame, means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feed plates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheets picked up by the air sucker means approach a. position directly over said delivery table, each of said air sucker support members being formed with a transverse bar, and said air sucker means including suckers adjustably mounted on said transverse bars.

21. A paper collating machine having a plurality of spaced superimposed paper supply feed plates for stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feed plates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table. comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage, a post mounted on said carriage, ai sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame. means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feed plates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheets picked up by the air sucker means approach a position directly over said delivery table, said means .for separating said support members. comprising expansion springs of equal strength on said post between adjacent air sucker support member.

22. A paper collating machine having a plurality ofspaced superimposed paper supply feed plates fo stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feedplates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table, comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame, means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feed plates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheet picked up by the air sucker means approach a position directly over said delivery table, said latter means, comprising a rack fixedly mounted on said frame parallel to the direction in which said frame reciprocates, a bracket extending from the carriage, a toothed wheel rotatively supported on said bracket and engaging said rack to be rotated thereby and being of a size to make a half revolution and back again for each movement of said carriage across said frame and back again, and means connecting said wheel with said support members for moving said support members in accordance with the position of said wheel.

23. A paper collating machine having a plurality of spaced superimposed paper supply feed plates for stacks of papers to be collated and a paper receiving and stacking delivery table located slightly spaced of said feed plates, means for simultaneously picking a single sheet from each of said stacks and deliver said sheets in a superimposed stacked form to said delivery table. comprising a frame, a carriage on said frame for reciprocating back and forth, means for reciprocating said carriage a post mounted on said carriage, air sucker support members slidably mounted on said post, paper lifting air sucker means mounted on said support members -for lifting said sheets of feed plates when said carriage is at the end of said frame adjacent said feed plates and carrying said sheets to a position over said stacking delivery table as the carriage moves to the other end of said frame, means for separating said support members on said post a distance equal to the spacing of the feed plates as the paper lifting air sucker means approach said feed plates, and means for moving said support members together against the action of said latter mentioned means as the sheets picked up by the air sucker means approach a position directly over said delivery table, said frame, comprising spaced end walls, a bar between said end Walls and upon which said carriage rests and formed with grooves adjacent the faces of said carriage, wheels on said carriage and engaging in said grooves for guiding the reciprocatin movement of said bar, rods between said end walls and spaced slightly above said bar and adjacent the faces of said carriage, and bearings mounted on said carriage and engaging said rods for holding said carriage slidably in position on said frame.

CHARLES L. LEIFER. 

